FHP: Dog jumped into car, stepped on accelerator, killed man

Dog's owner hasn't been charged

A man has died after a dog jumped into a vehicle, pushed the accelerator and struck him as he opened a gate outside a Florida panhandle home, authorities said.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Iris Fortner, 56, and James Campbell, 68, were returning to their Cantonment home Monday when Campbell got out of the passenger side of the vehicle to open the metal gates.

The Pensacola News Journal reported Fortner opened the driver's door to see where Campbell was standing. That's when Fortner's large boxer bull dog jumped into the car and pressed the accelerator.

FHP said Fortner tried to stop before the vehicle backed into Campbell. He was trapped under the van and pronounced dead by Escambia County paramedics.

Fortner has not been charged.

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